Mary Ann Carrasco
March 2025 - Old Tree in the Almond Orchard
Original
About the Image(s)
I chose a descriptive title. This was taken on Thursday, February 27th during a visit to an almond orchard in Esparto, CA. I walked this road which circled around the orchard and was drawn to this old tree in contrast to the almond trees in bloom and thought it would look nice in black and white. There were some clouds in the sky. It was taken mid morning as the farm was open 8:00 am - 12:00 pm for artists and photographers.
Description: Nikon Z9 with 28-400 lens at 62mm, f/9, ISO 80, 1/160, hand held
I set the camera to monochrome and made adjustments for increase contrast, sharpening and clarity and applied the red filter setting. I decided to try the red filter setting to see if the result would look a bit like an infrared image. I edited the image in camera raw only to apply a bit of dehaze. In photoshop I removed some of the branches of the bush on the left and cropped a bit. I selected the sky and applied a mask, using the refine edges brush around the trees, then increased the contrast and brightness of the sky. I look forward to your comments and suggestions.
This round’s discussion is now closed!
15 comments posted
I would love to see this in color to see the areas of contrast more clearly. I usually like to take the photo in color first so that I can use the sliders to add tones in B&W. The road leads in to the tree. Perhaps you can ad brightness to the tree so that our eye travels in. Also, I might tone down the texture with the flowering trees. It is competing too much with the subject tree. Posted: 03/13/2025 14:04:27
Hi Fran, thank you for your comments. I was advised to shoot in black and white to really get a feel for what I am trying to achieve. I shoot in raw so when I download the images into camera raw, I do get the color version and I am attaching the original in color for you to see. I played with this one using the in-camera red filter in an attempt to get an infrared look. Posted: 03/15/2025 15:28:07
Fran, I reworked this image a bit and would like your feedback as I am trying to learn. Thanks Posted: 03/16/2025 18:21:21
I think that the tones show more contrast in this version.
Sometimes when I take a shot I see it and then see it in monochrome. Here I am not thinking the subject is dramatic enough for B&W. Paul has some really helpful thoughts. I tried a different crop and worked the sliders to add drama. Posted: 03/18/2025 00:17:57
Sometimes when I take a shot I see it and then see it in monochrome. Here I am not thinking the subject is dramatic enough for B&W. Paul has some really helpful thoughts. I tried a different crop and worked the sliders to add drama. Posted: 03/18/2025 00:17:57
Thank you, Fran. I appreciate your comments very much. Posted: 03/18/2025 23:52:40
My bad, I accidentally deleted the image that Mary Ann had added. Here it is. Posted: 03/20/2025 15:57:35
Mary please stop that. The days of shooting in black and white have gone and in those days we had specialized films to do that. These days we have so many pieces of software that are so good at produce amazing monochrome images from colour images. Remember you get so many of your vast tones from the colour you are shooting. The camera only takes the image it does not manipulate it or enhance it. So shooting monochrome you are remove those tonal advances that you should have in processing. If you want to shoot monochrome, make sure you do the colour version to the same quality.
Your image, I look at and wonder what you wanted to take. The old tree in the background, the Almond trees with the blossom or the dirt road that does nothing, for me surly the shoot was to get in closer to the Almond trees and look down them with the old tree in the background say @ f11 to give something more dramatic. Your camera and lens is a lovely set-up so be braver with you angles and viewpoint. You colour and lighting is nice. Posted: 03/16/2025 08:19:37
Your image, I look at and wonder what you wanted to take. The old tree in the background, the Almond trees with the blossom or the dirt road that does nothing, for me surly the shoot was to get in closer to the Almond trees and look down them with the old tree in the background say @ f11 to give something more dramatic. Your camera and lens is a lovely set-up so be braver with you angles and viewpoint. You colour and lighting is nice. Posted: 03/16/2025 08:19:37
Paul, I have tried to rework this image to give it more contrast. Please let me know if this is an improvement as I want to learn. Thanks Posted: 03/16/2025 18:20:03
Even if the subjects are the old tree and the almond tree, I find the road has its place. It guides the reader to the old tree. For this reason I like the original composition as the road is more present. The applied treatment is very nice in the final version. Posted: 03/18/2025 04:19:32
I appreciate your comment, Vincent. Posted: 03/18/2025 23:53:19
I find the image to be interesting and works in B&W. The road is a good compositional element leading the viewer in. The almond trees have very good contrast and detail. The important thing is something here caught your eye, and you tried to capture it.
Like others, I would agree with shooting and working with the color version before converting to B&W. The change to a more Pano effect adds impact and interest to the image. For me, the almond trees are the subject, and the old tree holds the viewer in the image. It might also add to the impact if the sky were lightened some. See attached. Posted: 03/20/2025 16:12:06
Like others, I would agree with shooting and working with the color version before converting to B&W. The change to a more Pano effect adds impact and interest to the image. For me, the almond trees are the subject, and the old tree holds the viewer in the image. It might also add to the impact if the sky were lightened some. See attached. Posted: 03/20/2025 16:12:06
Kudos to everyone on the interaction over this image. Posted: 03/20/2025 16:13:47
David, yes, I appreciate all the input on my image! thank you Posted: 03/30/2025 22:12:50
I regret being late in submitting my review. I have studied this image several times and struggle to understand its story. Was it your intent to highlight the Old tree, or the orchard, or both? Indeed, the road adds a bit of mystery to the image...where does it take us? No doubt, something stood out for you and you captured it. Posted: 03/21/2025 15:30:08
Hi Paul, I was drawn to the old tree at the end of the road and liked how the row of the orchard trees and road led into it. Since you can't see beyond the curve, I liked the bit of mystery. I tried to experiment a bit with the camera in taking it. I have learned a great deal from all the comments and suggestions! Posted: 03/30/2025 22:12:07